Atletico Madrid News
Chelsea, Atletico, Bayern have made offers for Real Madrid striker target, claims Italian agent
Dusan Vlahovic is one of Real Madrid’s options to strengthen the centre-forward position for next season. While Karim Benzema will indeed continue, his drop-off in form ignites the need for a backup option and the Merengues maintain it as one of their priorities for June.
According to Italian football agent Massimo Brambati on TMW Radio (h/t Football London), Los Blancos are not the only top European team vying for Vlahovic’s signature.
Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich will all compete with the European champions for the striker and have already sent in offers for him.
“There are three teams that showed up. In my opinion, Juve will take these offers seriously. All of them have an important profile, because they’re Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid,” Brambati said.
Vlahovic has been one of the silver linings in a relatively poor Juventus side who even crashed out of the Europa League earlier this week. In 26 Serie A starts, he has scored 10 goals and provided two assists and has another four-goal contribution to show in the UEL.
The 23-year-old was once again one of Juventus’ best players in the Europa League semifinal against Sevilla in which he even scored the opener. A late comeback and a winner in extra time for the Spanish outfit, however, saw his effort go down in vain.
Vlahovic’s deal with Juventus runs until the summer of 2026. Given that the Old Lady spent close to €81 million for his acquisition less than two years ago, his departure is expected to occur only if a large enough fee is proposed.
Despite a slightly subpar campaign, Vlahovic’s stock remains high and it does not come as a surprise to see top clubs showing an interest in him.
It thus remains to be seen if Real Madrid pursue Vlahovic’s pricey signing or opt for one of Harry Kane or Goncalo Ramos in the summer. The former has just over a year on his contract in London and could be open to a move in June.
Another option on the Merengues‘ table would be to wait for a season with a temporary backup and eye Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe in 2024.
As for Atletico Madrid, it is unlikely that they will be able to afford Vlahovic’s signing unless they are able to permanently offload Joao Felix for their desired €100 million fee.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid midfielder on the derby against Real Madrid: “Very difficult to beat them”
Following a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against Lazio, Atletico Madrid will shift all their attention to La Liga, as they brace themselves for the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.
Heading into this game, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente spoke about Real Madrid’s quality and Atletico Madrid’s chances of squeezing all three points from this iconic derby.
Llorente on Madrid derby
“The sensations are good. The team is very good, the other day we played a great game despite ending up drawing. I really think that the team did a great job that must be maintained for this match,” Llorente said in an interview with Diario AS.
When asked whether or not Real Madrid being tagged as favourites could aid Atleti, the midfielder said, “Honestly, it neither motivates me nor demotivates me. We simply have to do what we work on during the week, what the coach asks of us.”
Llorente stressed the importance of the game, adding, “It is a great rival we have in front of us, they are having a very good start to the season and that motivates me and everyone to try to play a good game.”
“Real Madrid is a great club, they have great players and it is very difficult to beat them. I think we have competed, we have also achieved several draws, but in the end, either you go out one hundred percent and do things very, very well or it is difficult to beat them,” he added.
A former member of the Real Madrid youth academy, Llorente joined Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, he has racked up over 150 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Llorente, though, said he feels no sense of vindication when he performs well against his former team.
“No. In the end, it’s been many years since I left there and I’m at Atlético. Perhaps in the first years, those types of feelings and sensations can arise, but today they no longer do,” he said.
Llorente on Vinicius, Koke & Bellingham
The Atletico Madrid star went on to talk about other aspects of the game, including the fact that his team had one less player every time they faced Real Madrid last season.
“I have zero worries. These are things that are not in our remit, that escape our hands. We play football, the referees referee and those who have to decide decide,” he said.
Llorente, in fact, said that the return of Koke could be a real boost for Atleti. “It is always good that Koke is with us, both on the field and in the day-to-day life of the game,” he said.
“Beyond the grass. The support he gives, the advice he gives us, his experience. it is always important to have him and it is great news that he is already training with us,” he added.
Talking about the absence of Vinicius Junior and the form of Jude Bellingham, Llorente said, “Well, you have to be careful with everyone. All Real Madrid players are very good and can make a difference at any moment of the game. Bellingham is having a great start and we have to take that into account and be very focused.”
Finally, Marcos Llorente put out a message for all the Atletico Madrid fans, claiming their support ahead of this crucial encounter this weekend.
“It will be a full house as always. We don’t have to tell them anything, they know the importance of this match for Atlético, we know that they never fail, they are always supporting us and we count on them,” he said.
